Science Paper Model – Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter Free Template

This science paper model is the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO), designed by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Original Site. The Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter has the shape of a flat cylinder with a mass of roughly 250 kilograms (550 lb) including nitrogen gas for attitude control.

The MMO is spin stabilized at 15 rpm with the spin axis perpendicular to the equator of Mercury. The top and bottom of the cylinder act as radiators with louvers for active temperature control. The side is covered with solar cells which provide 185 W and second surface mirrors and protected by thermal blankets.

Communications with Earth are maintained through a despun 1-meter diameter high-gain offset antenna and two medium-gain antennas operating in the X-band. Telemetry will return 160 Gb of data per year at about 5 kbit/s over the lifetime of the craft, which is expected to be greater than one year. A microstrip UHF patch antenna will be used for communication with the MSE. The reaction and control system is based on cold gas thrusters. Deployable booms and wire antennas are stowed until orbit is achieved. The MMO will carry a set of fluxgate magnetometers, charged particle detectors, a wave receiver, a positive ion emitter, and an imaging system.